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Hi, I'm a 58 year old female who last June '18 had a mild heart attack and learned at the same time I had Leukemia 'AML'. I was rushed into hospital and they decided to wait on my heart attack regarding stents and started treatment on my AML. I had 4 rounds of chemo treatment (cardio was looking at me as well and on tablets) I am currently in remission and for the next 2 years having bone marrow biopsies. Waiting for cardio to see what they will continue with medication or stents.

I am mentally and physically tired all the time. I'm very weak still and just tired all the time. How long does the chemicals stay in your body and what can I do to pick up energy.

@shellred26 Thank you for your question. ﻿﻿ Having mental and physical fatigue is very common at this stage in your journey. You are not even a full year into your diagnosis and treatment for both the heart attack and Leukemia AML. The first year after diagnosis of cancer, 80-90% of patients experience moderate to severe fatigue. Please keep in mind you and your body have experienced a lot in a short amount of time. The initial shock of the diagnosis, the intense emotions, and of course the chemotherapy and other medical treatments. Your body has been working very hard and being fatigued is a consequence to all that it has been through.

It’s hard to say exactly how long the chemicals stay in the body without knowing more details about your exact chemotherapy treatment. Furthermore, every person is different in how they respond to treatment and fatigue is the same way. It’s important you discuss your fatigue with your doctor or healthcare professional before doing anything else. They can properly evaluate you for any other medical causes of fatigue including medication side effects.

However, there are still a variety of things you can do to help manage and increase your energy.

-Think about the activities that give you energy or help you relax. Try to plan activities you enjoy and moments for relaxation every day.

- Try to set boundaries throughout your day. Don’t do too much at one time and schedule mini breaks to help you rejuvenate.

Always remember to listen to your body and not over do it. What makes you feel good is good for your energy levels, as well as for your mood and general well-being. Take good care of yourself, be patient and please keep us updated on your progress.

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